Yes, the ‘doble plaka’ law, also known as the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, remains a hot topic despite the ongoing pandemic.
Only a few days after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) postponed the controversial law due to the non-availability of license plates, its author Senator Richard Gordon is now questioning why it still isn’t being implemented.
According to Gordon, the fact that months of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), brought about by COVID-19, has failed to deter criminals on motorbikes should be more reason to hurry the law’s enforcement.
“The implementing rules and regulations of the law is already there, why is it still not enforced? These motorcycle-riding criminals will continue to commit these remorseless killings unless it is enforced; even the ECQ did not stop them. We cannot let this injustice continue; dead men tell no tales and it is left to us to seek justice for them,” the senator said in a recent statement.
While Gordon acknowledged riders’ economic contributions over the past few months, he stressed that crimes committed via motorbike are a harsh reality. He added that the doble plaka law’s implementation will make it easier for authorities to protect law-abiding riders.
“Ang pinalakihan ay ’yung plaka o number plate sa likod pero ’yung sa harap decal o sticker na ikakabit to fit the model of the motorcycle. Ang purpose nito ay para madaling matandaan ng mga saksi ’yung plate number ng motorsiklo kapag ginamit sa krimen.”
Should the implementation of the doble plaka law really be a priority under the current circumstances? Or do you think authorities have more pressing matters on their hands?
